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Obama talks recovery in Asbury Park after Shore tour with Christie

Video: President Obama at Convention Hall in Asbury Park More than six months after touring the devastation Hurricane Sandy left behind at the Jersey Shore, President Barack Obama returned to see how the state is recovering. Obama who was introduced by Gov. Chris Christie, praised the progress that has been made but also noted the long way it has to go. Several thousand people braved the wet weather for the president's speech outside of Convention Hall. (Video by Andre Malok/The Star-Ledger)

ASBURY PARK — Seven months after President Barack Obama toured the Jersey Shore and viewed the damage wrought by Sandy, he returned today to praise the progress that has been made and noted the long way it has to go.

“We understand there’s still a lot of work to be done,” Obama said outside Asbury Park Convention Hall with Gov. Chris Christie by his side. “There are homes to rebuild. There are businesses to reopen. There are landmarks and beaches and boardwalks that aren’t all the way back yet. But thanks to the hard work of an awful lot of people, we’ve got wonderful shops and restaurants and arcades that are opening their doors, and I saw what thousands of Americans saw over Memorial Day weekend.”

Invoking the slogan from the state’s federally funded marking campaign, Obama said: "After all you’ve dealt with, after all you’ve been through, the Jersey Shore is back and it is open for business, and they want all Americans to know that they’re ready to welcome you here."

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Flanked by American and New Jersey flags, Obama spoke to a rain-drenched crowd of thousands on the newly rebuild boardwalk.

In introducing Obama, Christie invoked the controversy he spurred when Obama first visited in the days after Sandy made landfall – and days before the presidential election.

“We all came together because New Jersey is more important and our citizens’ lives are more important than any kind of politics at all,” said Christie, who is seeking re-election.

During his 10-minute speech, Obama returned the favor, referring to their last meeting when they toured the coastline by air and greeted residents in Brigantine just outside of Atlantic City.

“I remember something Chris said back then, he said, ‘We cannot permit that sorrow to replace the resilience I know all New Jerseyans have,’ ” Obama said, “and it didn’t, you didn’t let it, you kept going.”

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Before the speech, Obama said Christie bested him at a game of tossing footballs through a tire “although I did pay for his throws,” winning the president a stuffed bear in the process.

Obama name checked Congressmen Rush Holt, Frank Pallone and Donald Payne Jr. in the audience, but made no mention of Christie’s likely Democratic challenger, state Sen. Barbara Buono, who was also in the crowd.

A Buono campaign spokesman said: “She will have the opportunity to meet and talk with President Obama prior to his remarks and will be in attendance at the event.”